Podcast appearances and mentions of Mariella Frostrup

In this episode, I sit down with the brilliant Alice Smellie, journalist, author, and co-founder of Menopause Mandate. Alice shares her deeply personal experience of navigating menopause after cancer, including the unexpected challenge of having to stop HRT after years of advocating for its safe and informed use.This is a conversation about real life — the messy, non-linear, and often imperfect reality of menopause after cancer. Alice speaks with honesty and warmth, offering both insight and solidarity for anyone trying to figure it all out.We talk about advocacy, resilience, and how sometimes, even when you've written the book on it (literally), menopause can still take you by surprise.Episode Highlights:00:00 Intro12:56 Cancer Diagnosis and Emotional Turmoil23:14 Navigating Menopause after Cancer25:09 Menopause Anxiety Management Strategies31:18 Coping with Medical Anxiety33:08 Lingering Impact of Cancer Survival35:41 "Disconnect to Reconnect: Managing Fears"41:16 "Exploring Treatment Options"45:08 Ongoing Cancer Management StrugglesAbout Alice: Alice is co-author of Cracking the Menopause with Mariella Frostrup and her new book Menopause is Hot was out in the US on 21st January 2025. She's also a regular contributor to publications including the Daily Mail, Daily Telegraph, Times, and Marie Claire. Here are her books:https://amzn.eu/d/fskHif7https://amzn.eu/d/4TqRCXUYou can find Alice here on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/alicesmellie/?originalSubdomain=ukConnect with us:For more information and resources visit our website: www.menopauseandcancer.org Or follow us on Instagram @menopause_and_cancerJoin our Facebook group: www.facebook.com/groups/menopauseandcancerchathub

Joining Anton in conversation this week is journalist, broadcaster, author, and campaigner Mariella Frostrup.

The onset of menopause has resulted in 10% of women leaving work for good and more than half having to take time off, according to the Chartered Institute for Personnel and Development. These findings were presented to business leaders yesterday at the launch of the first advisory group for menopause in the workplace. Mariella Frostrup is the Government's Menopause Employment Ambassador and she joins Anita Rani.The Women's Six Nations culminates this weekend. England and France face each other at the Allianz Stadium Twickenham on Saturday to decide the rugby champions. Scotland face Ireland tomorrow and Wales and Italy face off on Sunday. The BBC's Sport Reporter Sara Orchard gives us the lowdown. Rugby player Emma Wassell has been capped 67 times for Scotland and is hoping to make her comeback before the World Cup in England this summer after a traumatic absence. Last September a benign tumour was discovered in her chest – and her recovery has included several surgeries. As she gets back onto the training ground, she joins us to tell her story.What happens when your private photo isn't nude, but it still ruins your life? The current legal definition of ‘intimate' image abuse, also known as “revenge porn”, doesn't reflect the reality for Muslim and BME women. Many of these images aren't defined as sexual through a western lens but can have serious consequences. We speak to Mariam Ahmed from Amina, the Muslim Women's Resource centre, who have launched an “exposed” campaign to tackle this issue. Emma-Jean Thackray is a multi-instrumentalist, singer, producer, bandleader and a DJ. Her sound has incorporated the widest range of music, from jazz and funk to Detroit house and techno, northern Bassline and catchy rock and pop music. She joins Anita to discuss her new album Weirdo, the inspirations behind it, and to perform live in the studio.Presenter: Anita Rani Producer: Corinna Jones

In this compelling and candid conversation, Julia sits down with her close friend Mariella Frostrup – renowned author, broadcaster, journalist and tireless campaigner – for a wide-ranging and deeply personal discussion on life, loss, and the pursuit of equity. Mariella reflects on her remarkable career path, from the world of music PR to becoming one of the UK's most recognisable voices in journalism and broadcasting. She opens up about the early trauma of losing her father, the resilience forged in childhood, and the enduring impact it's had on her outlook. Mariella shares what drives her advocacy for women's rights – particularly around menopause and midlife. As the UK government's menopause ambassador, she's on a mission to tackle workplace inequality and challenge long-standing stigma around women's health. This episode is a celebration of fighting spirit, friendship, and the power of using your voice – not just for yourself, but for the generations of women who follow. 00:50 Early Life and Formative Experiences 02:25 Challenges and Resilience 08:45 Fighting for Women's Rights 21:16 Menopause and Advocacy 25:10 The Norm of Curvy Career Paths 25:46 Menopause and Workplace Discrimination 26:34 Campaigning Challenges and Strategies 27:23 Personal Reflections on Campaigning 35:09 The Importance of Menopause Awareness 41:29 Personal Growth and Overcoming Adversity 45:06 Parenting and Childhood Reflections Find Mariella: Website: https://www.mariellafrostrup.com Instagram: @mfrostrup Buy her book 'Cracking the Menopause': https://amzn.eu/d/ftcAjjL  Please subscribe and leave a review—it truly makes all the difference! Follow Julia at @juliasamuelmbe for more insights, tips, and conversations on life's challenges and how to improve your mental well-being. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week's difficult women is Mariella Frostrup. A renowned broadcaster, writer, and outspoken feminist - always ready with her sharp wit and deep commitment to social issues. With a career spanning television, radio, and print, she's built a reputation as an agony aunt, offering advice with empathy and honesty. Beyond her media work, Mariella is a passionate advocate for women's rights, particularly focused on breaking the silence around menopause. Fearless in her pursuit of equality, she's made it her mission to amplify the voices of women and challenge the taboos that still hold us back.

'The writing is joyful, more or less. It's painful, but it's also joyful. The marketing of it is much harder.' Dr Lucy Ryan's book Revolting Women touched a nerve worldwide: many women can relate all too well to the perfect storm of challenges facing midlife women at work, and everyone has an opinion on it. Which took a bit of getting used to. In this week's conversation, part of my series talking to this year's Business Book Awards winners, Lucy talks frankly about the learning curve when a doctoral research project becomes an award-winning, conversation-sparking business book, and how she learned to love (or at least manage) the work of promoting it. From being squeezed down to seconds in her first radio interview to talking sex, drugs and rock and roll with Mariella Frostrup, her experience and hard-won lessons are pure gold to anyone setting out to write - and promote - a business book that makes an impact.

As the dust settles on the American election, we hear from Ric Bailey, Chief Adviser for Politics in BBC Editorial Policy, about how the corporation has tackled its coverage of an eventful campaigning period, and a momentous result. After we heard from listeners on what seemed like an abrupt end to long-running literature programme Open Book, Andrea talks to former presenter Mariella Frostrup, and Arts Commissioner for Radio 4 Matthew Dodd about its legacy and what the station's future literary offerings look like. And one listener nominates George Clarke's interview about the Grenfell Inquiry on the Today Programme for Interview of the Year. Presenter: Andrea Catherwood Producer: Pauline Moore Executive Producer: David PrestA Whistledown Scotland production for BBC Radio 4

In this episode of The Nowhere Office, Julia Hobsbawm and Stefan Stern discuss hot topics in the world of work. They consider how McDonalds and restaurant tips have become political footballs in the US election and debate the appointment of Mariella Frostrup as Menopause Employment Ambassador in the UK.   Tom Redmayne of Industrious, a flex workspace giant, is in the studio to discuss the offices of today and tomorrow, our changing cityscapes and his fears about burgeoning debts in the corporate real estate market.    Plus, in the 'My Working Life' segment, we meet Rob and hear about his hattrick of careers, in association with White Fox Publishing: https://wearewhitefox.com/.   The Nowhere Office is a Fully Connected Production brought to you in association with Sandstone Global Productions.    Music by Julian Brezon. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The killing of the leader of Hamas has led to calls for a ceasefire, as fears of a winter famine grow. We hear from inside Gaza.Also tonight:As the Foreign Secretary David Lammy promises "cooperation" with China on a visit to Beijing, the son of Jimmy Lai, the British citizen jailed in Hong Kong for supporting democracy, urges Mr Lammy to make that conditional.The TV presenter Mariella Frostrup on how she hopes to tackle gender inequity in the workplace as the government's new menopause employment ambassador.And it's hot stuff: are celebrities' hot sauces driving the booming demand for spicy seasoning?

A couple of weeks ago, journalist and broadcaster Mariella Frostrup stepped down from her presenting role at Times Radio so she could concentrate full-time on the women's health advocacy that has become her life's work. Seemed like a good time to look back at our episode from two and a half years ago when she discussed why she was on a mission to make menopause mainstream. Original show notes below:-------My guest this week was known for her willingness for say it like it is even before she made a TV show about the menopause. No, not THAT one. The one BEFORE. Broadcaster Mariella Frostrup was banging the menopause drum back in 2018 when her own ignorance about her symptoms at first shocked her and then prompted her to do something bout it. The resulting documentary, The Truth About Menopause, was a smash hit. And she's now followed that up with a book, Cracking The Menopause, written with her friend, journalist Alice Smellie. If you're a fan of the book of this podcast - The Shift (how I lost and found myself after 40 and you can too) - Mariella's book will be right up your street.Mariella and I talk candidly about all things menopause - from menopause ignorance to sleeplessness to “the bubble of poison bile” that surrounds the whole subject! She also has plenty to say about the insidiousness of women being “scrap heaped” at 50, why fearlessness is so much sexier than the ability to look 28 and why the time has come to just stop bloody putting up with it!• You can buy all the books mentioned in this podcast at Bookshop.org, including Cracking The Menopause by Mariella Frostrup and Alice Smellie and the book that inspired this podcast, The Shift: how I lost and found myself after 40 - and you can too, by me!* And if you'd like to support the work that goes into making this podcast and get a weekly newsletter plus loads more content including exclusive transcripts of the podcast, why not join The Shift community, come and have a look around at www.theshiftwithsambaker.substack.com• The Shift (on life after 40) with Sam Baker is created and hosted by Sam Baker and edited by Emily Sandford. If you enjoyed this podcast, please rate/review/follow as it really does help other people find us. And let me know what you think on twitter @sambaker or instagram @theothersambaker. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt is joined by Mariella Frostrup for a special Christmas day edition of the coffee break. They crack open a drink, exchange gifts and look back at their highlights of the year - including when they both took a DNA test which revealed Matt is more Irish than Mariella. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This time Nik is joined by GP, broadcaster, author and ambassador lead at the National Academy for Social Prescribing,  Dr Radha Modgil. They discuss what we can learn from the BBC's 'Strictly Come Dancing'.  Amongst other things, they talk about loneliness, grief and the power of music.There's also the usual look at the medical news headlines and what's on our radar.News Headlineshttps://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-12844937/Mariella-Frostrup-cholesterol-busting-jab.htmlhttps://www.dailystar.co.uk/health/women-health-gynaecological-cancer-types-31623197https://www.bodyform.co.uk/break-taboos/discover/eve-appeal-bodyform/https://www.express.co.uk/life-style/health/1845102/heart-disease-symptoms-night-sleephttps://www.theguardian.com/society/2023/nov/26/dementia-uk-music-projectsRadarAnastrozolehttps://www.goodhousekeeping.com/uk/health/a45778496/anastrazole-breast-cancer-post-menopause-women/Red Whale Primary Care Pod:https://www.gp-update.co.uk/podcastUltra Processed Foodshttps://www.cosmopolitan.com/uk/body/diet-nutrition/a45822192/ultra-processed-foods/Loneliness helplineshttps://www.itv.com/thismorning/articles/older-peoples-helplinesNorovirushttps://www.itv.com/thismorning/articles/how-to-spot-the-signs-and-symptoms-of-norovirusStrictly Come Dancing & Social prescribinghttps://collegeofmedicine.org.uk/study-finds-dance-health-project-reduces-falls-in-the-elderly-by-up-to-58-per-cent/NASP- the national charity that champions social prescribinghttps://socialprescribingacademy.org.ukTwitter: @BoggledDocs Instagram: @BoggledDocs #BDdose #BDRadarSend us a voice note: https://www.speakpipe.com/BoggledDocs Email: boggleddocs@gmail.comLinks:https://linktr.ee/BoggledDocs DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast.

Did you know that 900,000 women left jobs because of menopausal symptoms in 2019? That's according to research by Bloomberg that is probably only scratching the surface. And it's something this week's guest wants to make more people aware of. Melissa Robertson is the CEO of Dark Horses in London. And she has launched an open-source menopause policy inspired by her own experience with the condition. She hopes it will open up the conversation within the workplace, not just in the creative industry, and stop so many talented women from leaving behind their careers when they're at the top of their game. The policy looks at the science behind menopause, explains the symptoms and considers how women struggle in everyday life when going through it. Melissa has also recently become a director of Menopause Mandate, working on an all-important campaign with influential people such as Davina McCall and Mariella Frostrup to make sure women's voices are heard across the country. So, what does it feel like to go through menopause, and what can be done to normalise it so everyone understands? Melissa offers some insight.

Today we're celebrating Menopause Awareness month (now there's a phrase I couldn't have imagined saying four years ago when I was writing The Shift book and everyone was telling me no-one was interested in menopause or women over 40…) And I'm delighted that my guest is a leading light in the British menopause movement.Dr Louise Newson is a GP and menopause specialist who is passionate about increasing awareness of menopause and perimenopause care for all women. (That ALL is crucial.) As well as her own private practice specialising in menopause, Louise is founder of the Balance app and the Menopause Charity. Plus author of the bestseller, the definitive guide to perimenopause and menopause.Louise joined me to talk about her personal menopause experience (sorry to say, even doctors struggle to get help), the lack of female role models in medicine and what drives her menopause mission. She recalls being ‘told off' for prescribing HRT, her battle to get women's health front and centre on the agenda and answers some of your most asked questions. If you'd like to hear some alternative menopause perspectives, try my episodes with Dr Jen Gunter, Mariella Frostrup and Karen Arthur. Listenn to the Dr Louise Newson Podcast here.* You can buy all the books mentioned in this podcast at The Shift bookshop on Bookshop.org, including The Definitive Guide to the Perimenopause and Menopause by Dr Louise Newson, and the book that inspired this podcast, The Shift: how I lost and found myself after 40 - and you can too, by me.* And if you'd like to support the work that goes into making this podcast and get a weekly newsletter plus loads more content including exclusive transcripts of the podcast, why not join The Shift community, come and have a look around at www.theshiftwithsambaker.substack.com• The Shift (on life after 40) with Sam Baker is created and hosted by Sam Baker and edited by Juliette Nicholls @ Pineapple Audio Production. If you enjoyed this podcast, please rate/review/follow as it really does help other people find us. And let me know what you think on twitter @sambaker or instagram @theothersambaker. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The first episode tells the story of author, journalist and women's campaigner, Mariella Frostrup - who also chairs the mighty Menopause Mandate campaign.Mariella talks about her life being brought up in the Republic of Ireland, with very little female health knowledge. Her problems conceiving her first child. Plus her surprising menopause symptoms, which led her into campaigning for better.Follow us on Instagram @menopausemandateIn partnership with The Better Menopause Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From the team that gave birth to Menopause Mandate, The Heat Seat focuses on the female health stories of a collection of powerful women!The Heat Seat brings together the patrons, experts and ambassadors behind the fantastic campaign that is Menopause Mandate.From menstruation, fertility and menopause the podcast explores how women, such as Mariella Frostrup, Lisa Snowden and Emma Kennedy dealt with the lows that life has thrown, gained their female health knowledge, and found the path to the influential roles they're now in. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Have You Seen? is the podcast for people who LOVE television.Old friends Mariella Frostrup (who's reviewed, written, and broadcasted about television programmes for 30 years) and Peter Fincham (who has produced, written, and commissioned television programmes for even longer!) get together and chat about what's been on the telly this week.Peter and Mariella are on a mission to make sure you never waste your time sitting through shows that aren't worth the bother. They'll scour the schedules, from the biggest broadcasters to the depths of the streamer's algorithms, to produce a ready-made weekly watchlist for our listeners. And in each episode, we'll be joined by a guest from the world of television, to find out what shows they loved, what they hated, and what they think might deserve a slot on the Have You Seen? watchlist this week. New episodes every Thursday.Have You Seen is an Expectation production.The producer is Owen Braben Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Over the course of this season, we've spoken to 34 guests for Ruthie's Table 4—talking about food, family, and memories. We've had conversations in Los Angeles, New York, Cannes and, of course, at home here at The River Cafe in London. To mark the end of Season Two, we've complied some of these conversations together. For Part One, we'll hear from Gwyneth Paltrow, Jamie Oliver, Ian Wright, Dame Judi Dench, Vanessa Kingori & Mariella Frostrup. So please join us at Ruthie's Table 4.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I'm often asked if it's intimidating cooking for celebrities who come to The River Cafe. My response is that the guests who really worry me are other chefs. It's a bit like that today as I'm about to interview the interviewer, Mariella Frostrup. I was once the subject with Mariella. She wrote in her introduction ‘Despite such eloquence, Ruthie is a disaster of an interviewee.' Intimidated. Why would I be? Join us on today's episode of Ruthie's Table 4. Please rate & review the podcast on Apple podcasts, Spotify, IHeart Radio app or wherever you get your podcasts. For more information, recipes, and ingredients, go to: Web: https://rivercafe.co.uk/Instagram: www.instagram.com/ruthiestable4Facebook: https://en-gb.facebook.com/therivercafelondon/ For any podcast enquires please contact: willem.olenski@atomizedstudios.tv For more podcasts from iHeartRadio, visit the iheartradio app, apple podcasts, or wherever you listen to your favourite shows.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, the remarkable Mariella Frostrup takes the spotlight. Prepare to be captivated as she shares her journey from leaving home at 16 on a ferry to start a new life in London, why she's so passionate about us talking talk more about the menopause and get ready for the truth behind those party girl rumors. It's a must-listen episode that will leave you wanting more!Don't forget you can get in touch at podcast@htb60.com and Karen and i are taking the podcast back on the road at the Edinburgh Fringe. We'll be there on the 9th 10th and 11th of August . If you've like to come and see us , check out the Edinburgh fringe website or the gilded balloon website for ticket details Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Cleo Watson has gone from being deputy chief of staff for Boris Johnson to writing a satirical 'bonkbuster' set in and around Westminster, Downing Street and Chequers.Matt talks to her about life inside Number 10, partygate, working for Barack Obama and Dominic Cummings - and we get Mariella Frostrup to read out some of the novel's raciest moments.Plus: Columnists James Marriott and Gaby Hinsliff talk about sending more northerners to the House of Lords, Boris Johnson's new house in the country, and Britain's favourite railway station. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why can't we get hold of #HRT? What protection do you have at work if you're off due to #menopause or #perimenopause symptoms? And -who's looking out for our interests? The gang get back together for a big old catch up about the politics of menopause. Hearing from campaigners like Carol Vorderman, Kate Muir, Carolyn Harris MP and Mariella Frostrup. Connect with Effin Hormones, a podcast about perimenopause and beyondWebsiteInstagramTwitter

Let the latest episode of Life on Planet Porky keep you dry in the company of Mike Parry and Lesley-Ann Jones. Topics include: ponchos, Gareth Bale retiring, famous Welsh people, thoughts on Prince Harry's TV interview, the Stonehouse series, selling stories to the papers, ADHD, forgetting names, Dry January, Mariella Frostrup, looking forwards in life, Amanda Owen, Jimmy Page, baby brain, the sad demise of Lindisfarne, body clock arrangements, wasting time on social media, and Paul McCartney's ironic near miss outside Abbey Road. It's the podcast which should never be crossed, it's Life on Planet Porky.  Follow the show on Twitter: @PlanetPorky or Mike is: @MikeParry8 while you can find Lesley-Ann: @LAJwriter. Or you can email us questions or comments to: planetporkypod@gmail.com. We'd love to hear from you!

The Times has an august history of recording the lives of significant people, and has been doing so in the obituaries pages since the 19th century. Today, we remember some of the people who may not be household names but are no less fascinating.This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes. Hosts:- Anna Temkin, Deputy Obituaries Editor, The Times. - Mariella Frostrup, Times Radio. Guests: - Tom Dart, obituaries writer, The Times. - Shirley Malcom, director of the SEA Change initiative at the American Association for the Advancement of Science. - Emily Maitlis, broadcaster and journalist. - Professor Mary Beard, classicist. Remembering the lives of:- Colonel Gail Halvorsen, pilot. - Dr Shirley McBay, mathematician. - Professor Peter Maitlis, chemist. - Joyce Reynolds, classicist. Clips: BBC, Times Radio. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mariella Frostrup is a renowned journalist and a voice familiar to Times Radio listeners. Today, the tables are turned. Mariella is on the other side of the mic, answering the questions rather than asking them.She talks candidly to Rachel Sylvester and Alice Thomson about her chaotic childhood, constantly being moved from house to house, from country to country as her parents divorced. She talks about the devastating impact of her dad's early death and her stepfather's violence and links to the IRA. Mariella also shares warm memories of her youth in the music industry, living in London's Kings Road at the height of its punk glamour, jokes with Bono and dates with Iggy Pop. Warning: Contains discussions of sensitive subjects including: alcoholism, bullying, death, drug use, domestic violence and coercive control, death.-------Links for additional support Bereavement supporthttps://www.sueryder.org/https://www.thegoodgrieftrust.org/ Domestic Violencehttps://www.ncdv.org.uk/domestic-abuse-help/ Bullyinghttps://anti-bullyingalliance.org.uk/ Alcoholism and Addictionhttps://www.drinkaware.co.uk/advice/alcohol-support-serviceshttps://www.actiononaddiction.org.uk Mental health https://www.mind.org.uk/young people's mental healthhttps://www.youngminds.org.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

“Relationships spanning four or five decades require graft and forgiveness – but true connections are worth the effort” that's according to the broadcaster, journalist, and author Mariella Frostrup who spoke to Ciara this morning on the show.

A mini pod to mark World Menopause Day and a few reasons why some of the wonderful women I met at the rally outside the Houses of Parliament are supporters of the Menopause Mandate and are fiercly advocating for women's health. With enormous thanks to Carolyn Harris, Mariella Frostrup and Diane Danzebrink for being instrumental in bringing this together among many others and for their comments, thanks go to: Carol Vorderman @carolvorders Kate Rowe-Ham @katerh_fitness Lavina Mehta @feelgoodwithlavina Lisa Snowdon @lisa_snowdon Penny Lancaster @penny.lancaster Sam Simister @genm_official & Victoria Hardy @ginge_unhinged #MenopauseMandate

Jane and Fi question whether it's a good idea for "Royal adjacent" former rugby star Mike Tindall to enter the I'm a Celebrity Jungle.Joining them today is the campaigner and Times Radio's own Mariella Frostrup to discuss the findings of the Menopause All-Party Parliamentary Group.Also, Rosamund Dean kicks off "Wellness Wendesday's" a new feature to help Jane and Fi take better care of themselves.If you want to contact the show to ask a question and get involved in the conversation then please email us: janeandfi@times.radioTimes Radio Producer: Rosie CutlerPodcast Executive Producer: Ben Mitchell Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Rosie chats to Mariella Frostrup about keeping your sanity while navigating the menopause and the power of sharing your experiences. We also delve into what self care looks like for her.https://www.hellomagazine.com/newsletter/in-a-good-place-podcast/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

About 25 years ago, I was giving a speech at my father's 65th birthday party. There were seventy or eighty people at the dinner and, as Dad was a playwright, most of them were theatricals.I'm a comedian, it was a fun occasion, so I wanted the speech to be funny. There were a few entertainment VIPs in the room, so there were professional as well as personal reasons to make sure my speech was as good as possible. But it was also a very personal occasion - a landmark in my dad's life - so there was no way I was going to crowbar in bits from my act. I wanted the speech to be special: I love my Dad very much and I wanted to say so publicly. But I also didn't want the speech to descend into an embarrassing, gushing, sentimental affair. It was by no means the hardest speech I've ever had to give, but there was still a balance that I had to get right, and I felt a bit of pressure because there were so many professional performers in the room who were way more experienced than me.As I was speaking, and I guess I was feeling a little nervous, I noticed someone looking at me. Of course, the whole room was looking at me, but this was the only person I noticed. He had friendly blue eyes, narrowed in a frown of intense concentration, and he seemed deeply interested in what I had to say, and very sympathetic to the difficulties I was having making such a speech. I don't know if I was projecting my own imagination, but there was a wise, kindly look to him. I'd never noticed anybody listen like that before.It was a few moments before I realised it was the actor, Timothy West. Thinking about it later, it made sense to me why Timothy West had been such a popular actor with his peers. He listened so well. In a room of eighty people all doing the same thing– his was the listening I noticed.(Any aspiring actors reading this: work on your listening. It's a crucial, yet underrated skill and one that is rarely taught. Teaching is concentrated around the bits when you are doing the talking. Watch what wonderful listeners many great actors are.)Fast forward a couple of years and I was doing a set on the Radio 4 show, Loose Ends. This was around 1999 and, in those days, the show was recorded live, but the only audience you would have were the four or five other guests on the show who would be sitting in the studio with you, along with the host, Ned Sherrin. You got some real VIPs on that show - I used to do it quite a bit. Off the top of my head, I remember appearing with Jackie Collins, Danni Minogue, Divine Comedy, Mariella Frostrup, Sir Humphrey Burton, The Proclaimers, and many more besides. But most of them would be thinking about their own bits, so doing comedy in that little studio to four or five people who weren't that interested could be a bit like doing comedy into the void. Comedy is hard without an audience - even if by the time it made it out of the radio, it seemed to work. I think it was the first time I had done the show, so I was nervous. There I was, doing my Ludwig The Bavarian act, all dressed up in my lederhosen costume, with all sorts of nerves rushing through my head as I did my act to no audience, when there it was again. The look. The kindly, listening, I-know-what-you're-going-through-and-I'm-on-your-side look. This time it was Michael Parkinson, one of the guests on the show. While all the other guests, and, to an extent, Ned, were wrapped up in their own stuff, Parkinson took time out to listen to me. Straight away I understood why he had been such a successful chat show host.Thank you for reading The Flying Frisby. This post is public so feel free to share it.The Today ProgrammeWe move on over ten years to 2012 and my first book, Life After the State, which, as the title suggests, makes the case for a lot less government in our lives. On the day it was published I was invited onto Radio 4's Today programme to talk about the role of the state. My publisher, Dan Kieran of Unbound, told me 'getting on the Today programme is the Holy Grail for an author. You're very lucky. You're on at the best time, peak listening time, just before 9. Everybody will be listening. The prime minister will be listening.”To say I was nervous is an understatement. 'This is the Today programme,' I told myself. 'For really clever people. It's not for comedians who've decided they want to write about economics. It's the BBC, the Ministry of Media. The last thing they'll suffer is some non-economist comedian calling for a smaller state. You are so going to be found out.'In the Green Room beforehand, I could barely speak. 'Would you like a cup of coffee?' 'Oh, no thanks. Actually, yes please. Er no, no. Actually, yes. Erm, not sure.' ‘I'm sorry?'I was to be interviewed by James Naughtie and there was a nice chap by the name of Neal Lawson from left-wing think tank, Compass, who would take the opposing side of the debate. There were various other people in the studio, all deep in notes and preparation for their next slot. None of them looked up as we came in. If I had my life again I'd answer one key question about collectivism differently - and I still get cross with myself about it - but overall I guess I did ok. However, mid-interview, while I was talking, I could feel somebody looking at me. I looked to my left, away from the people I was talking to, Naughtie and Lawson, and there, staring at me intently, was John Humphrys. He'd looked up from me his notes and, with his eyes narrowed slightly, now seemed to be deeply interested in what I was saying, even though he was nothing to do with this segment. His listening carried that same mixture of interest, intense focus, kindness and understanding that Timothy West's did all those years ago.Just as with West, I felt I gained some understanding as to why John Humphrys has been so successful in his extremely competitive profession.Afterwards I went and gave him a copy of the book.“Have a read and see what you think,” I said. “But I doubt you'll be on board with all this anti-state stuff.”“You'd be surprised,” he replied.Keynote FarageJust a few months later I was speaking about gold at an investor's show. Tom Winnifrith, the organizer, had managed to get Nigel Farage as his keynote speaker. This was years before the Brexit vote, but, thanks to the internet, his speeches at the EU Parliament were already starting to go viral.Afterwards, he and I sat down and started talking. All sorts of people were bombarding him for photos and signatures, and he was very gracious to everybody who pestered him, but at the same time he managed to convey the impression that he was really interested in talking to me. And, as I talked, there was that same look again – eyes narrowed slightly, kind, wise, interested, focused on you and you alone.If you say the names John Humphrys or Nigel Farage, kindness is not the first word that springs to mind with either. But that was what I saw. Nor is Farage known as great listener, but my experience was that he is. I'm sure it's his listening to people as he travelled up and down the country that made him so popular at grass roots level and helped him build such a following.Farage in person, as his GB News show, especially Talking Pints, is proving, is a far cry from the monster many of his opponents, especially the Centrist Trots who write for the Guardian, have made him out to be. My dinner with Jordan PetersonA few days ago I was lucky enough to be invited to dinner with Jordan Peterson. It's funny. Peterson is one of the biggest stars on the internet. He is adored by so many yet there are still quite a few people who have no idea who he is. My manager thought I was going to dinner with Jordan Henderson.Andrews Doyle and Shaw, the organisers of Comedy Unleashed, comedian Simon Evans and author Jeremy Hildreth were there as well as Peterson's minder (who took the photo below).It was amazing how quickly we got through the niceties and moved on to the interesting stuff. Within a few minutes of sitting down, we were talking about lucid dreams - these are dreams that you know are dreams while you dream them.I had a lucid dream last year, in which I met my father (who died in 2020) at a house party and, in the kitchen, started updating him on the progress I had made with Kisses on a Postcard, the new songs I'd written, the edits and so on. After a while I said, “This is a dream, isn't it?” Dad smiled and nodded.So I mentioned at the table that I had had this lucid dream last year in which I had had this conversation with my dead father. Peterson's head flashed round and he looked at me as I spoke. And there was that look again. That same Timothy West, Michael Parkinson, John Humphrys, Nigel Farage, slightly squinting, focused look of kindness, sympathy, empathy and genuine interest.Never mind how articulate he is, I'll bet one reason Peterson is so popular is because he listens. In fact, one reason he is so articulate is because he listens. He replies to what people actually say, rather than what he thinks they've said, and that centres him in the moment and thus in the truth.So there we are: people who have the look. What's the moral of all this? Listen, I guess. Don't talk. Listen.ADDENDUMI saw just how popular and loved Jordan Peterson was only an hour or two later. Over dinner somebody suggested that he do a set at Comedy Unleashed later that evening, and he agreed to read a comic poem he'd written. I was MCing, and I introduced him as the open spot, saying something like “we like to bring on new talent at Comedy Unleashed, so we give people short spots and if they're any good, they can progress to a full spot, please welcome Jordan Peterson”. The audience at first couldn't believe what they had heard. Then, as he came to the stage, they rose to their feet and gave him a standing ovation.I might have ended up compering what may be Jordan Peterson's only ever comedy spot. Thank you for reading The Flying Frisby. This post is public so feel free to share it.If you are in London on September 28 or 29, my lecture with funny bits, How Heavy?, about the history of weights and measures is coming to the Museum of Comedy. It's a 7-8pm show so you can come along and go out for dinner after. The lecture will give your evening a strong intellectual foundation. You can buy tickets here. This is a very interesting subject - effectively how you perceive the world. Hope to see you there.The Flying Frisby is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.theflyingfrisby.com/subscribe

Welcome back to PARTISAN, a podcast exploring politics and history in film and entertainment. Join your host, Tony Black, as he is joined by co-host of the upcoming Vampire Videos podcast, horror writer Hugh McStay, to discuss Brian Yuzna's 1989 satirical class horror, SOCIETY... Next time on Partisan, guest Affable Joey joins us to discuss Barry Levinson's 1998 political satire, WAG THE DOG... Host / Editor / Producer Tony Black Guest Hugh McStay SHOW NOTES Interviews: Brian Yuzna interviews: https://medium.com/cjmccracken/brian-yuznas-society-the-lost-interviews-714a76c561c1 Brian Yuzna talking to Daily Dead: https://dailydead.com/neon-bosch-an-interview-with-brian-yuzna/ Brian Yuzna video interview: https://youtu.be/cwcSPV5mD0E Brian Yuzna talks to Mondo Exploito: https://mondoexploito.com/?p=13460 Brian Yuzna talks to Fangoria: https://web.archive.org/web/20160314143451/https:/www.fangoria.com/new/interview-brian-yuzna-talks-society-blu-ray-and-sequel/ Mariella Frostrup talks to Billy Warlock: https://youtu.be/AcNQwPmOXtc Analysis: Society: Celebrating the Subversive, Surreal Classic by Ryan Lambie: https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/society-celebrating-the-subversive-surreal-classic/?amp Scratching the Surface of SOCIETY by Alexander Boucher: https://medium.com/framerated/scratching-the-surface-of-society-af62be54ea10 Society, the Cult Horror Film Where the Monster Is Class Conflict by Brando Marcetic: https://jacobin.com/2021/10/society-1989-horror-film-yuzna-keith-capitalist-class-conflict Society on Blu-Ray by Max Weinstein: https://diaboliquemagazine.com/long-awaited-tongue-in-cheek-butt-on-face-anti-establishment-satire-society-lands-on-blu-ray/ [It Came From the ‘80s] The Gooey Grand Surreal Shunting of ‘Society' by Meagan Navarro: https://bloody-disgusting.com/editorials/3547539/came-80s-gooey-grand-surreal-shunting-society/ Eat the Rich: Body Horror and Capitalist Consumption in ‘Society' by Lilla Pavin-Franks: https://screen-queens.com/2020/11/09/eat-the-rich-body-horror-and-capitalist-consumption-in-society/ Like our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/partisanpod Follow us on Twitter: @partisanpod_ Support the We Made This podcast network on Patreon: www.patreon.com/wemadethis We Made This on Twitter: @we_madethis wemadethisnetwork.com Title music: Progressive Progress (c) Howard Harper-Barnes via epidemicsound.com

Welcome back to PARTISAN, a podcast exploring politics and history in film and entertainment.Join your host, Tony Black, as he is joined by co-host of the upcoming Vampire Videos podcast, horror writer Hugh McStay, to discuss Brian Yuzna's 1989 satirical class horror, SOCIETY...Next time on Partisan, guest Affable Joey joins us to discuss Barry Levinson's 1998 political satire, WAG THE DOG...Host / Editor / ProducerTony BlackGuestHugh McStaySHOW NOTESInterviews:Brian Yuzna interviews: https://medium.com/cjmccracken/brian-yuznas-society-the-lost-interviews-714a76c561c1Brian Yuzna talking to Daily Dead: https://dailydead.com/neon-bosch-an-interview-with-brian-yuzna/Brian Yuzna video interview: https://youtu.be/cwcSPV5mD0EBrian Yuzna talks to Mondo Exploito: https://mondoexploito.com/?p=13460Brian Yuzna talks to Fangoria: https://web.archive.org/web/20160314143451/https:/www.fangoria.com/new/interview-brian-yuzna-talks-society-blu-ray-and-sequel/Mariella Frostrup talks to Billy Warlock: https://youtu.be/AcNQwPmOXtcAnalysis:Society: Celebrating the Subversive, Surreal Classic by Ryan Lambie: https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/society-celebrating-the-subversive-surreal-classic/?ampScratching the Surface of SOCIETY by Alexander Boucher: https://medium.com/framerated/scratching-the-surface-of-society-af62be54ea10Society, the Cult Horror Film Where the Monster Is Class Conflict by Brando Marcetic: https://jacobin.com/2021/10/society-1989-horror-film-yuzna-keith-capitalist-class-conflictSociety on Blu-Ray by Max Weinstein: https://diaboliquemagazine.com/long-awaited-tongue-in-cheek-butt-on-face-anti-establishment-satire-society-lands-on-blu-ray/[It Came From the ‘80s] The Gooey Grand Surreal Shunting of ‘Society' by Meagan Navarro: https://bloody-disgusting.com/editorials/3547539/came-80s-gooey-grand-surreal-shunting-society/Eat the Rich: Body Horror and Capitalist Consumption in ‘Society' by Lilla Pavin-Franks: https://screen-queens.com/2020/11/09/eat-the-rich-body-horror-and-capitalist-consumption-in-society/Like our Facebook page:https://www.facebook.com/partisanpodFollow us on Twitter:@partisanpod_Support the We Made This podcast network on Patreon:www.patreon.com/wemadethisWe Made This on Twitter: @we_madethiswemadethisnetwork.comTitle music: Progressive Progress (c) Howard Harper-Barnes via epidemicsound.com

Mariella chats to Wendy about everything from revolutionising education and talking about vulvas in the House of Commons, to her #menopausemandate and her macabre choice of lullabies when her kids were small!

The House of Commons is going to become a 'menopause-friendly' employer. Speaker of the Commons, Sir Lindsay Hoyle said after he signed a Menopause Workplace Pledge yesterday, that he hopes to "break the taboo" around the menopause. Practical adjustments could be included in Westminster, such as well-ventilated rooms and fans, flexible working and breathable uniforms. But will a pledge in Parliament have any impact of the lives of women across the UK? Journalist and author of Cracking The Menopause, Mariella Frostrup and academic and author Dr Lara Owen join Emma to talk about changing the culture around menopause. The Australian actor Rebel Wilson has revealed she is in a relationship with a woman. Last Friday, she shared a picture with her new partner on Instagram saying she she had found her "Disney princess". But it was revealed the following day, the Sydney Morning Herald wrote they'd known about the relationship before it was public. Their celebrity reporter said he had given Wilson 1.5 days to provide comment for a story. That report sparked widespread criticism on social media, with LGBTQ+ campaigners saying it was unacceptable to put pressure on people to come out. The paper has since removed that gossip column and offered an apology. Emma is joined by the journalist and feminist campaigner Julie Bindel to discuss. Lea Ypi, professor of Political Theory at the London School of Economics, has written a prize-winning memoir, Free: Coming of Age at the End of History. Lea grew up in Albania and for the first eleven years of her life, it was one of the most isolated countries in the world, Europe's last Stalinist outpost. Then, in December 1990, the regime collapsed. Lea joins Emma to talk about her extraordinary coming-of-age story. A new report funded by the Home Office suggests that sexual abuse of a child by their brother or sister – sibling sexual abuse – may be the most common form of sexual abuse within the family. Many experts say it is not given enough attention and resources need to be set aside to support families dealing with this. Emma speaks to reporter Livvy Haydock and Stephen Barry, who is the Lead Clinician at 'Be Safe' Bristol, part of the Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health partnership NHS Trust. Fancy taking your rage at the patriarchy out on a computer game? Well a developer in Plymouth has come up with The Glass Ceiling Games, where you fire slingshots back against catcalls, slice machetes at unsolicited nude photos, and point a ray-gun against mansplaining. So does it make a difference when women write computer games? Emma is joined by Hannah Wood creative director of The Glass Ceiling Games, and Karla Reyes, a game designer and Head of Business Development at Code Coven - an award-winning game development accelerator for underrepresented talent.

Sarah Vine and her co-host, author Imogen Edwards-Jones, speak to Mariella Frostrup about the HRT Crisis that is driving women to despair, to tech expert Caramel Quin about why Elon Musk is paying $44Bn for Twitter and what do the stars say about Johnny Depp vs Amber Heard?  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mariella Frostrup has been a distinctive voice in broadcasting for many years. In this episode she joins with health journalist Alice Smellie to talk about their book, Cracking the Menopause While Keeping Yourself Together, which brings their take on menopause - why we all need to know more about it, and what people who are going through perimenopause or menopause can do to understand it better and alleviate their symptoms. The conversation gets feisty as Mariella and Alice express their frustration at the general lack of knowledge about the menopause - which affects half the population - and the popular perception that menopause means ‘the end' for women; in fact it's the start of an exciting new life stage. This episode is both a personal campaign from Mariella and Alice to break the stigma around menopause, and an invaluable resource - it's packed with information and advice both from themselves and the many experts they have spoken to. As Mariella might put it, don't think that if you're not menopausal, this episode isn't for you - listening to it will empower anyone who is interested in health and wellness. ResourcesThe Wellness Edit/ Holland & BarrettFollow us here https://www.instagram.com/hollandandbarrett/?hl=en https://www.hollandandbarrett.com/the-health-hub/podcast/Dr Gemma Newmanhttps://www.instagram.com/plantpowerdoctor/?hl=en https://gemmanewman.com/Cracking the Menopause While Keeping Yourself Together by Mariella Frostrup and Alice Smelllie, £20, Bluebird https://www.menopausematters.co.uk/Louise Newsome See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Journalist and presenter, Mariella Frostrup, joins Dr Louise Newson for an energetic discussion and a whistle-stop tour through current insights and reflections on the way society approaches the menopause. Mariella talks about why she is ‘still banging on' about the menopause, why you needn't be afraid of HRT, and why it's time to stop the silence and shame that surround it. In 2018, Mariella presented one of the first documentaries on the menopause and broke the taboo of celebrities speaking honestly about their own experiences. Mariella's recent book, ‘Cracking the Menopause: While Keeping Yourself Together', separates the myths from the reality and offers expertise, hope and advice for all affected by the peri/menopause. Mariella's 4 hopes to improve the experience of menopausal women: Knowledge is our armour; we each need be more informed individually so we can combat the myths and ignorance we will be faced with. We need a trained menopause professional in every GP practice in the land and an invitation from the NHS for every woman to come for an appointment before the average onset of perimenopause, to let her know what will happen and how she can get help. There should be menopause groups everywhere, so everyone can find support and we should all educate our daughters about it. We need to ensure women are supported in the workplace so they can remain the valuable and experienced team members that they are. Find out more about Mariella's work at www.mariellafrostrup.co.uk ‘Cracking the Menopause: While Keeping Yourself Together' is published by Bluebird.

My guest this week was known for her willingness for say it like it is even before she made a TV show about the menopause. No, not THAT one. The one BEFORE. Broadcaster Mariella Frostrup was banging the menopause drum back in 2018 when her own ignorance about her symptoms at first shocked her and then prompted her to do something bout it. The resulting documentary, The Truth About Menopause, was a smash hit. And she's now followed that up with a book, Cracking The Menopause, written with her friend, journalist Alice Smellie. If you're a fan of the book of this podcast - The Shift (how I lost and found myself after 40 and you can too) - Mariella's book will be right up your street.Mariella and I talk candidly about all things menopause - from menopause ignorance to sleeplessness to “the bubble of poison bile” that surrounds the whole subject! She also has plenty to say about the insidiousness of women being “scrap heaped” at 50, why fearlessness is so much sexier than the ability to look 28 and why the time has come to just stop bloody putting up with it!• You can buy all the books mentioned in this podcast at Bookshop.org, including Cracking The Menopause by Mariella Frostrup and Alice Smellie and the book that inspired this podcast, The Shift: how I lost and found myself after 40 - and you can too, by me!• The Shift (on life after 40) with Sam Baker is created and hosted by Sam Baker and edited by Emily Sandford. If you enjoyed this podcast, please rate/review/follow as it really does help other people find us. And let me know what you think on twitter @sambaker or instagram @theothersambaker. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In this episode, Tori and Nicole begin by nerding out over stationery and planners as they think towards the upcoming new year. Nicole previews some new nonfiction titles that will arrive at the library soon, and Tori highlights a summer read and a new children's graphic novel. The ladies talk about some mobile games that have caught their attention as they wrap up the episode. The resources discussed in this episode are listed below: Is Atheism Dead? by Eric Metaxas; You Were Made for This Moment: Courage for Today and Hope for Tomorrow by Max Lucado; Will by Will Smith; The Menopause Myth: What Your Mother, Doctor, and Friends Haven't Shared about Life After 35 by Arianna Sholes-Douglas; Twice A Daughter: A Search for Identity, Family, and Belonging by Julie Ryan McGue; Going There by Katie Couric; The Reckoning: Our Nation's Trauma and Finding A Way to Heal by Mary L. Trump; Holy Hot Mess: Finding God in the Details of this Weird and Wonderful Life by Mary Katherine Backstrom; What Unites Us: Reflections on Patriotism by Dan Rather; What Unites Us: The Graphic Novel by Dan Rather, illustrated by Elliot Kirschner and Tim Foley; The Magic School Bus Explores Human Evolution by Joanna Cole, illustrated by Bruce Degen; The Jesus I Know: Honest Conversations and Diverse Opinions about Who He Is by Kathie Lee Gifford; Lost Cities, Ancient Tombs: 100 Discoveries That Changed the World by Ann R. Williams; Sapiens: A Graphic History, Volume 1 – The Birth of Humankind by David Vandermeulen, Daniel Casanave, and Yuval Noah Harari; Sapiens: A Graphic History, Volume 2 – The Pillars of Civilization by David Vandermeulen, Daniel Casanave, and Yuval Noah Harari; Peril by Bob Woodward and Robert Costa; Cracking the Menopause: While Keeping Yourself Together by Mariella Frostrup and Alice Smellie; Black Heroes of the Wild West by James Otis Smith; Foul Play by Janet Evanovich; The Good Earth by Pearl S. Buck; The Good Earth graphic adaptation by Pearl S. Buck, illustrated by Nick Bertozzi; Apologies to Pearl S. Buck by Celeste Ng; Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck; Art Puzzle mobile app; Cooking Fever mobile app

Welcome back! After a well deserved holiday and fantastic stand-ins Stephen Mulhern and Tom Allen taking the reigns for week 30 of the Graham Norton Radio Show with Waitrose.Graham and sidekick Maria McErlane help you solve your dilemmas in Graham's Guide.Show Chef Martha Collison showcases maple syrup in this week's recipes!And this week's guests include:Miriam Margolyes spilling stories from her long-awaited memoir This Much Is True.Mariella Frostrup talking about her new book Cracking The Menopause and updating us on her show on Times RadioGraham is back on your radio for the Graham Norton Radio Show with Waitrose every Saturday and Sunday from 9.30am on Virgin Radio UK.Make sure to subscribe to the podcast to hear all of the highlights each week! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

We finish this series with the legendary Mariella Frostrup. Having smashed through the career glass ceilings so many times - reinventing herself over and over when being told she can't - her reward is being the cultural presenting icon she is today, and feeling secure in herself as she hits menopause. We're joined by nutritionist Paul Chamberlain, who says it's all about balance and that Omega 3 is what we need when it comes to keeping our brains tip-top and sharp.

This Week, Alan McGee talks with Richard Jobson. Richard Jobson is a Scottish filmmaker who also works as a television presenter. He is also known as the singer-songwriter of Skids. Richard Jobson Trivia: For past decade has been presenting music and film programs on Sky television in Britain. Formed punk band, The Skids, with friend, guitarist Stuart Adamson. Gained music success as singer with punk band, The Skids, in late-1970s/early-1980s at age of 17. Hails from Dunfermline, Scotland. Was married to television beauty Mariella Frostrup in the 1980s. Has a son, Archie, & a daughter, Edie Jobson. His niece is Millie Jobson. Has just completed his directorial debut with 16 Years of Alcohol (2003), which had Kevin McKidd in the lead role. The film will be premiered at The Edinburgh International Film Festival in August 2003. [July 2003] Reunited with The Skids band-mates Bill Simpson & 'Michael Baillie to', celebrate 30 years of The Skids, & along with Big Country's 'Bruce Watson' & his son Jamie, played two nights at Dunfermline's Glen Pavilion, followed by a set at T in the Park. [July 2007] Source - IMDB

Measles cases in Europe have tripled between 2017 and 2018, the highest number recorded this decade according to the World Health Organisation. We discuss parental attitudes to vaccinating children and what parents should know with Helen Bedford, Professor of Children's Health at University College London's Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health and Samantha Vanderslott, social sciences researcher at Oxford Vaccine Group. There are 600,000 people in the UK with epilepsy and one third of them find that current treatment options do not fully help them to control their seizures. Many of those are women who find that their condition worsens in pregnancy or experience increased seizure frequency around their menstrual cycle. Jane talks to Fran Thomas who has epilepsy and to Dr Simona Balestrini who is undertaking research into improved diagnosis and treatment options that may benefit women. President Trump has attracted regular criticism from left of centre women, not least at last month's women's marches across the US. But what of those women who already back his party, the Republicans? We hear about the many women who support him and his policies. And, what's the secret to hosting and delivering a great speech, presentation or event? We hear from Mariella Frostrup and Viv Groskop.

A couple on why their divorce was almost too amicable. Plus iPM listener Charlotte on why childcare meant she couldn't go back to work and how that impacted her life. Mariella Frostrup reads our bulletin of your news. Email ipm@bbc.co.uk Presented by Luke Jones. Produced by Cat Farnsworth.

Mariella Frostrup talks to William Boyd about his novel Sweet Caress

Mariella Frostrup talks to Edna O'Brien about The Little Red Chairs

Mariella Frostrup talks to Jeremy Gavron, Kate Grenville and Eugene Vodolazkin

Mariella Frostrup talks to Adam Sisman about his biography of John Le Carre

Mariella Frostrup talks to Jonathan Lee about his new novel High Dive

Mariella Frostrup talks to Andrew Hurley about The Loney